The apprenticeship team at East Kent Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (EKHFT) have been awarded the highest prize at the East Kent Apprenticeship Awards.
Now in its sixth year, this prestigious annual event celebrates the achievements of those completing apprenticeships across the area, as well as the public and private sector employers who support them.
Organised by Kent marketing agency Pillory Barn, the awards are open to all apprentices, businesses and public sector organisations across Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone & Hythe, Swale and Thanet.
24 finalists were invited to The Yarrow in Broadstairs for a special gala reception and awards ceremony on Thursday 6 June, where the winners in eight categories were revealed, including Carly Larkin and her apprenticeship team at EKHUFT, who were named ‘East Kent Apprenticeship Champion of the Year’.
This award is given in recognition of the person or team who has done the most for apprenticeships over the previous 12 months, with Carly and the team receiving praise for their ‘tireless’ work since 2017.
The following category winners were also announced:
- Leanne Anslow – ‘Business Management and Administration Apprentice of the Year’
- Holywell Primary School – ‘Public Sector Organisation of the Year’
- Jake Milsom – ‘Education and Early Years Apprentice of the Year’
- Lily Crane – ‘Health, Social Care and Science Apprentice of the Year’
- Amelia Smith – ‘Hair and Beauty Apprentice of the Year’
- Jack Biggs – ‘Construction Apprentice of the Year’
- Viking Crew – ‘Private Sector Business or Organisation of the Year’
- Julia Rumsey – ‘Engineering Apprenticeship of the Year’
The awards depend on the generosity of sponsors, which this year included EPS Logistics, Morgan Sindall, Nuclear Restoration Services, Chartway Building Supplies, WW Martin, Otterpool Park, Willmott Dixon, Spyder Creative and Cactus Graphics
Lisa Harris, communications and PR director at Pillory Barn, said: “Congratulations to all the winners of the East Kent Apprenticeship Awards for 2024.
“It was wonderful to hear the difference apprenticeships have made not only for young people starting out in their careers but also for those who continue to learn throughout their careers. It was also an opportunity to applaud the businesses and organisations which support them.
“For the past six years, the East Kent Apprenticeship Awards have showcased the difference apprenticeships can make, providing the inspiration for others to follow, and the confidence to achieve anything.
“More and more young people both here in East Kent and across the region are benefitting from the invaluable job experience and life skills that apprenticeships bring with the continued support of both businesses and organisations in the public sector.
“These awards are a celebration of the amazing work that takes place across East Kent that we hope will inspire more people to consider apprenticeships as the route to their chosen career and showcase the value they bring to the workplace.”
